Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise shot in Virginia; suspect dead

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards and members of the state Legislature gather June 14 at the Louisiana Capitol to pray for Rep. Steve Scalise. (Source: Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards' office)

State Rep. Cedric Glover tweeted this photograph of him and Rep. Steve Scalise along with the message "Veronica & I are praying for the swift recovery of Rep. @SteveScalise & all those targeted for attack this morning. #AttackOnOneAttackOnAll"

LOUISIANA (KSLA) -

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana was shot Wednesday morning at a congressional baseball practice, along with several other lawmakers and congressional staff.

Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., said several other people also were hit, including two law enforcement officers. He added the shooter was "taken down." CBS News has confirmed the shooter is identified as James T. Hodgkinson, 66, of Belleville, Illinois. While President Donald Trump did not mention the gunman by name, he said that the shooter had died from his injuries.

"We are shocked and saddened by the shooting this morning. We are still waiting for additional details, but my dear friend and colleague, Congressman Steve Scalise, members of his U.S. Capitol Police detail, and perhaps other staff members were among those harmed. Our family and staff join countless other Americans this morning in praying for the victims and their precious families. Steve is one of the finest men and most dedicated public servants I have ever known, and I expect his faith and strength of character will carry him through this ordeal.

"We live in a dangerous world, at a time when evil runs rampant and leaders are targeted. We must be vigilant at all times, but we can never operate in a spirit of fear. We will not be deterred."

Senator John Kennedy tweeted his thoughts about the incident.

This is unspeakable. I am praying for my friend and colleague @SteveScalise and his family.

President Donald Trump tweeted that Scalise is expected to recover from his injuries.

"Oh, sad. Heartbroken, strikes fear in all of us. It could happen to anybody," said Rep. Larry Bagley, (R) Stonewall.

Bagley told KSLA it's hard for him to picture Scalise in critical condition after every meeting he's had with the House Majority Whip.

"He's a great guy, very, very energetic guy," he said. "Always up and moving around, talking to people, got a big smile. He's just the kind of guy that you'd like to be around."

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-LA, was among those shot, according to Congressman Mo Brooks, R-AL. Brooks said they were practicing for an upcoming charity baseball game with Democratic lawmakers, when "50 to 100 shots were fired."

Alexandria police said on Twitter that a suspect was believed to be in custody and victims were being transported to hospitals.

"Seems more and more people that want to hurt people for no, really no reason and it's not just politicians. It's everybody," Bagley said.

(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File). FILE - In this May 22, 2018 file photo, actor Morgan Freeman attends the 2018 PEN Literary Gala in New York. Freeman is apologizing to anyone who may have felt “uncomfortable or disrespected” by his behavior....

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Actor Morgan Freeman has apologized for making anyone feel uneasy, in the wake of a CNN report in which multiple women accused him of sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior.More >>